Biography

NoteCARDS:

The Cardinals second-round selection (33rd overall) in the 2004 NFL Draft, Dansby becomes the first player in franchise history to have three separate stints with the team after playing with Arizona from 2004-09, again in 2013 and then returning in 2017.

In his seven seasons with the Cardinals thus far, has started 99 of 106 games played and totaled 758 tackles, 32.0 sacks, 14 INTs (four returned for TDs), 13 forced fumbles and 10 fumble recoveries. In six career playoff games with Arizona, he added 51 tackles, an INT, five passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

For his career, Dansby has appeared in 196 regular season games (179 starts) and totaled 1,405 tackles, 42 sacks, 19 INTs (including six returned for TDs), 83 passes defensed, 11 fumble recoveries and 18 forced fumbles. Spent three seasons with Miami (2010-12), two with Cleveland (2014-15) and one with Cincinnati (2016).

His four INT returns for TD with the Cardinals are tied for the third-most in franchise history, trailing only Hall of Famers Aeneas Williams (6) and Larry Wilson (5), and his six career INT returns for TDs ties him for the most in NFL history by a LB, joining Hall of Famers Bobby Bell and Derrick Brooks.

In 2005, he became the first linebacker in Cardinals history to record two INT returns for TDs in a single season. After having two more INT return TDs in 2013, he became just the second Cardinal with two seasons with multiple INT return TDs (Aeneas Williams, 2 each in 1995 and 1997).

With 19 career INTs, needs one more to become just the fifth player in NFL history with at least 40 career sacks and 20 career INTs. Other four are Seth Joyner (52 sacks/24 INTs), Ray Lewis (41.5/31), Wilber Marshall (45/23) and Brian Urlacher (41.5/22).

NoteCARDS:

The Cardinals second-round selection (33rd overall) in the 2004 NFL Draft, Dansby becomes the first player in franchise history to have three separate stints with the team after playing with Arizona from 2004-09, again in 2013 and then returning in 2017.

In his seven seasons with the Cardinals thus far, has started 99 of 106 games played and totaled 758 tackles, 32.0 sacks, 14 INTs (four returned for TDs), 13 forced fumbles and 10 fumble recoveries. In six career playoff games with Arizona, he added 51 tackles, an INT, five passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

For his career, Dansby has appeared in 196 regular season games (179 starts) and totaled 1,405 tackles, 42 sacks, 19 INTs (including six returned for TDs), 83 passes defensed, 11 fumble recoveries and 18 forced fumbles. Spent three seasons with Miami (2010-12), two with Cleveland (2014-15) and one with Cincinnati (2016).

His four INT returns for TD with the Cardinals are tied for the third-most in franchise history, trailing only Hall of Famers Aeneas Williams (6) and Larry Wilson (5), and his six career INT returns for TDs ties him for the most in NFL history by a LB, joining Hall of Famers Bobby Bell and Derrick Brooks.

In 2005, he became the first linebacker in Cardinals history to record two INT returns for TDs in a single season. After having two more INT return TDs in 2013, he became just the second Cardinal with two seasons with multiple INT return TDs (Aeneas Williams, 2 each in 1995 and 1997).

With 19 career INTs, needs one more to become just the fifth player in NFL history with at least 40 career sacks and 20 career INTs. Other four are Seth Joyner (52 sacks/24 INTs), Ray Lewis (41.5/31), Wilber Marshall (45/23) and Brian Urlacher (41.5/22).

Dansby is the only active NFL player with at least 40 career sacks and 15 career INTs.

Ranks 11th in team history with 32 sacks, including a career-high eight sacks in 2006.

Has produced nine career 100-tackle campaigns, including five as a member of the Cardinals.

Has led his team in tackles seven times during his career, most recently leading the Bengals with 114 tackles in 2016.

As a member of the Cardinals in 2008, put on a dominant display during his first career postseason, finishing the playoffs with a team-high 37 tackles, six tackles for loss, an INT and three passes defensed in the Cards four postseason games.

During the 2009 postseason, was pivotal part of one of the most exciting plays in franchise postseason history. In the Cards record-breaking 51-45 OT victory over Green Bay, Dansby recovered Aaron Rodgers fumble in OT and returned it 17 yards for the game-winning TD. Dansby played a role in all three Green Bay turnovers in the game, which led to 20 Arizona points.

Named a Pro Bowl alternate in 2008 and was a second-team AP All-Pro in 2013.

Earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after he collected two INTs, four tackles and a forced fumble against Detroit in Week 10 of the 2007 season.

Pro Career:

The Cardinals second-round selection (33rd overall) in the 2004 NFL Draft, Dansby spent six seasons with Arizona before signing with the Dolphins as a free agent prior to the 2010 season. For two consecutive seasons (2008-09), Arizona designated Dansby a “non-exclusive” franchise player on 2/14/08 and 2/18/09. Signed with Miami Dolphins as an unrestricted free agent on 3/5/10 where he spent three seasons before being released on 3/13/13. Signed a one-year contract to return to the Cardinals on 5/10/13. Signed with Cleveland Browns as an unrestricted free agent on 3/12/14. Released on 3/16/16 and signed with Cincinnati Bengals on 3/30/16. Returned to Cardinals for third time signing a one-year contract on 3/10/17.

2016: Played in all 16 games (seven starts) in his only season with the Bengals, leading the team with 114 tackles for his ninth career 100+ tackle season … added one sack, six passes defensed and one fumble recovery … notched a team-high 11 tackles in his Cincinnati debut @ NYJ (9/11) … led the team with 10 tackles, including two for loss @ Pit (9/18) … recovered a Demaryius Thomas fumble vs. Den (9/25) … registered team-best 11 tackles vs. Cle (10/23) … posted season-best and team-high 12 tackles @ Cle (12/11); notched first sack of the season when he brought down Robert Griffin III … recorded double-digit tackles in each of the last two games with 10 @ Hou (12/24) and 11 vs. Bal (1/1/17).

2015: Started all 16 games for the sixth time in his career and led the Browns with 108 tackles and three INTs … became first LB to lead Cleveland in INTs since Tom Cousineau in 1983 and his two INTs returned for TDs tied the single-season franchise record … also had two forced fumbles and six passes defensed … recorded 10 tackles @ Bal (10/11) … tied career high with two INTs vs. Den (10/18), returning the second one 35 yards for a TD in the fourth quarter that put the Browns ahead 20-16; marked his third career two-INT game and first since 2007 … posted a season-high 11 tackles @ Cin (11/5) … recorded a career-long 52-yard INT return for a TD vs. Bal (11/30); marked sixth career INT return for TD, tying Hall of Famers Bobby Bell and Derrick Brooks for the most in NFL history by a LB … collected 10 tackles @ Sea (12/20).

2014: Started 12 games and had 93 tackles, three sacks, one INT and two passes defensed in his first year with Cleveland … finished second on the team in tackles and tackles for loss (10) … helped Browns lead the NFL in opponent passer rating (74.1) … intercepted a Ben Roethlisberger pass in season opener vs. Pit (9/7) … sacked Drew Brees in the fourth quarter vs. NO (9/14) to force a punt and help set up game-winning FG on ensuing possession … recorded sacks in back-to-back games vs. Pit (10/12) and @ Jax (10/19) … missed Games 11-14 due to a knee injury.

2013: Started all 16 games and led the team with a career-high 135 tackles and four INTs, including two returned for TDs … had a career-best 21 passes defensed and finished third on the team with 6.5 sacks, the second-highest total of his career (8.0, 2006) … also had 10 tackles for loss, six QB hits, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery … earned second-team AP All-Pro honors … tied for the team lead with 10 tackles @ StL (9/8); recovered Jared Cook’s fumble in the end zone for a touchback after Tyrann Mathieu knocked the ball loose to prevent a Rams TD in the first quarter … registered a team-high 10 unassisted tackles and tied for the team lead with two passes defensed vs. Det (9/15) … led the team with a season-high 12 solo tackles @ NO (9/22) … tied a career high with two sacks and had an INT vs. Car (10/6); helped Cardinals total seven sacks in the game, the most by the team since recording eight sacks on 9/13/87 vs. Dallas; sacked Cam Newton twice in three plays in the first half; INT of Newton in the fourth quarter sealed the Cardinals 22-6 victory; marked his sixth career game with two sacks and first since 2007 season; was first career game with two sacks and an INT, and along with fellow starting ILB Daryl Washington, they became the fourth and fifth players in franchise history to post 2+ sacks and one INT in a game; also had eight tackles, including one for loss, and one pass defensed … posted a team-high 11 tackles and had a sack of Colin Kaepernick in the first quarter @ SF (10/13); also forced a fumble by Kaepernick later in the game, had a team-best three passes defensed, including a tip on Yeremiah Bell’s second-quarter INT … registered a team-leading 11 tackles, including two for loss vs. Atl (10/27) … recorded his third career INT return for a TD when he picked off Andrew Luck in the second quarter and returned it 22 yards for a score vs. Ind (11/24); became the first LB in franchise history with three INT returns for TDs in their career; registered a team-high eight solo tackles … tied his career high with two sacks of Nick Foles @ Phi (12/1); marked his seventh career multi-sack game; recorded nine tackles to reach 100 tackles for the third straight season … picked off a Kellen Clemens pass and returned it 23 yards for a TD in the third quarter vs. StL (12/8); marked his fourth career INT return for a TD, trailing only Aeneas Williams (6) and Larry Wilson (5) for the most in franchise history; also had a sack of Clemens in the fourth quarter, and combined with his Week 5 performance against Carolina when he had two sacks and an INT, made him the first player in franchise history with a sack and INT in multiple games during a single season; tied for the team lead with seven tackles … tied for the team lead with eight tackles and split a sack with John Abraham @ Ten (12/15); marked his 150th career game … sealed the victory with a diving INT of a pass that deflected off Doug Baldwin with under two minutes remaining @ Sea (12/22); marked his team-leading and career-best fourth INT of the season; became just the fourth player with at least 6.0 sacks, four INTs and two INT return TDs in a season since sacks became an official stat in 1982; had a team-high seven solo tackles.

2012: Led the Dolphins with a career-high 133 tackles while starting all 16 games … marked his second consecutive and sixth overall 100+ tackle season … also notched nine passes defensed and one sack … led the team in tackles seven times and had three double-digit tackle outings … finished second on the team with nine tackles in the season opener @ Hou (9/9) … had a team-leading eight tackles vs. Oak (9/16) … recorded his only sack of the season, taking down Kevin Kolb for a nine-yard loss in the fourth quarter @ Ari (9/30) … led the team with nine tackles vs. StL (10/14) … posted 10 tackles vs. NE (12/2) … led the team with 12 tackles @ SF (12/9) … tied for the team lead with nine tackles vs. Buf (12/23) … posted a season-high and team-leading 13 tackles in the season finale @ NE (12/30).

2011: Started all 16 games and finished third on the team with 103 tackles, his fifth career season with more than 100 tackles … joined Yeremiah Bell (107) and Kevin Burnett (105) in giving the Dolphins three players with 100+ tackles in a season for the first time in franchise history … added two sacks, an INT, a forced fumble and four passes defensed … posted four double-digit tackle games and led the team in tackles five times … recorded five tackles and a forced fumble by Mike Tolbert @ SD (10/2) … posted six tackles and sacked LaDainian Tomlinson on a halfback pass play vs. NYJ (10/17) … led the team with a season-high 13 tackles vs. Den (10/23) … ranked second on the team with 11 tackles @ KC (11/6) … collected a team-high 10 tackles vs. Was (11/13); also recorded a sack of Rex Grossman in the first quarter and picked off a Grossman pass and returned it 14 yards to help set up a TD in the fourth quarter … registered a team-high seven tackles vs. Oak (12/4) … led the team with nine tackles vs. Phi (12/11) … tied season high with a team-best 13 tackles @ NE (12/24).

2010: Played in 14 games (13 starts) in his first season with the Dolphins … finished third on the team with 96 tackles and tied for third with three sacks … also had four passes defensed and two forced fumbles … led the team in tackles six games … started in his Dolphins debut @ Buf (9/12), tying for the team lead with eight tackles and sacking Trent Edwards for a nine-yard loss … recorded nine tackles @ Min (9/19); stopped Adrian Peterson for no gain on 4th-n-goal from the Dolphins one-yard line with just over two minutes remaining in the game to help seal a 14-10 Miami victory … finished second on the team with eight tackles vs. NYJ (9/26) … tied for the team lead with nine tackles vs. Pit (10/24) … posted a team-high 10 tackles @ Bal (11/7) … tied for the team lead with eight tackles vs. Ten (11/14); also forced a fumble by TE Bo Scaife on the Titans opening possession that was recovered by Chris Clemons and led to a Dolphins TD … collected a team-leading 10 tackles and added a sack of Jay Cutler vs. Chi (11/18) … led the way with nine tackles @ NYJ (12/12); also sacked Mark Sanchez and forced a fumble … inactive (toe) vs. Det (12/26) … placed on injured reserve (toe) on 12/31.

2009: Started all 18 games played in 2009, marking the second straight year he started each regular season and postseason game … for the second consecutive year was named team captain prior to the season opener and for the third straight year led the Cardinals with 113 tackles during the regular season … in 75th career game, eclipsed 400 career tackles and tied for the team lead with seven tackles vs. SF (9/13); helped limit the 49ers to 21 yards rushing on 25 carries … led LBs with six tackles and forced a fumble on a third down sack of David Garrard @ Jax (9/20); marked 25th career sack … tied for the team lead with 10 tackles vs. Ind (9/27) … part of defense that held the Texans to 45 yards rushing on 21 attempts and prevented Houston from scoring from the one-yard line on three consecutive plays with under one minute to play vs. Hou (10/11) … totaled a team-high 10 tackles @ NYG (10/25); part of a defense that held New York to 40 yards below their season average in rushing yards per game; marked the 12th consecutive game (including playoffs) that the Cards defense did not allowed a 100-yard rusher … registered a team-high 10 tackles with two tackles for loss vs. Car (11/1) … led the Cardinals with nine tackles and a half-sack vs. Sea (11/15) … registered fourth 10-tackle game of the season (23rd of career) to lead the Cardinals @ StL (11/22) … despite leaving the game early in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury, finished second on the team with eight tackles @ Ten (11/29) … after being limited in practice with a shoulder injury, totaled a team-high nine tackles with an INT vs. Min (12/6); picked off Brett Favre at the AZ 30-yard line in the third quarter, his first INT of the season; eclipsed 600 career tackles … tied for the team lead with eight tackles @ SF (12/14); surpassed 100 tackles for the third season in a row … recorded a team-high six solo tackles vs. StL (12/27); marked the eighth game he led or tied for the team lead in tackles … only played in the first two series of the regular season finale vs. GB (1/3/10) … played a part in all three of the Packers turnovers, including a 17-yard game-winning fumble return for a TD in OT of the Wild Card game vs. GB (1/10/10); deflected a pass into the hands of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie that led to a Cards TD and 7-0 lead; on the next possession forced a fumble by Donald Driver at the GB 22-yard line to set up another TD and put Arizona up 14-0 … tied postseason career-high with team-leading 10 tackles @ NO (1/16/10); finished tied for second on the team with 14 postseason tackles.

2008: Started all 20 games played in 2008, marking the first time in his career he played in all 16 regular season games ... named defensive team captain prior to season opener and for the second straight year led the team with a then career-high 128 tackles during the regular season … also recorded a team-high 37 tackles and six tackles for loss during the postseason ... collected seven solo tackles and a fumble recovery in the season opener @ SF (9/7); recovered a fumble by 49ers FB Zak Keasey in the first quarter ... forced and recovered a fumble during second-quarter sack of QB Jake Delhomme while also recording nine tackles and a QB hit vs. Car (10/26); recovered a fumble at the Panthers five-yard-line leading to an Arizona TD on the next play to go up 10-0 ... led the team with 10 tackles, two QB hits and returned an INT 34 yards to the 49ers five-yard-line vs. SF (11/10), setting up an offensive TD two plays later to put Arizona up 29-24 with just over four minutes to play ... for the second time in three weeks registered 10 tackles as well as a tackle for loss vs. NYG (11/23) … finished second on the team with a season-high 11 tackles, a tackle for loss and recovered a fumble at the AZ 22 yard-line vs. StL (12/7); eclipsed 100 tackles on the season ... started first career playoff game and led the team with three tackles for loss while leading the LBs with 10 tackles vs. Atl (1/3/09); part of a defense that held the Falcons, the second best rushing team in the NFL during the regular season with 152.7 yards per game average, to just 60 yards on 24 carries (2.5 avg.) ... registered a team-high 10 tackles as well as a tackle for loss @ Car (1/10/09) ... registered his first career postseason INT and led team with eight tackles in Super Bowl XLIII vs. Pit (2/1/09).

2007: Started all 14 games played and led the team with 117 tackles, his second season with 100+ tackles … led the team with 12 total tackles, a half-sack and one forced fumble in the season opener @ SF (9/10) … registered a career-high tying two sacks, including a fourth quarter third down sack of Kyle Boller that forced a punt with 5:40 to play @ Bal (9/23); resulted in an Arizona drive to set up a Neil Rackers 41-yard FG that tied the game with 1:58 left … led the Cardinals with a career-high 17 total tackles and 13 unassisted tackles, and recorded 300th career tackle @ StL (10/7) … in 50th career game, tallied one solo tackle before leaving in the first quarter due to a knee injury vs. Car (10/14) … in his first game back from the knee injury, turned in an outstanding performance with two INTs, a forced fumble, a pass defensed, four tackles, a QB pressure and a tackle for loss vs. Det (11/11); named NFC Defensive Player of the Week; marked the second multi-INT outing of his career; helped hold Lions to -18 rushing yards, the lowest rushing total for team in the modern era … registered an INT @ Cin (11/18) to mark the first time in his career he recorded an INT in consecutive games … led the team with 13 tackles and a forced fumble @ Sea (12/9) … registered his fifth double-digit tackle game of the season and third in four games with 10 tackles and a forced fumble that would result in a Cardinals offensive TD @ NO (12/16); also eclipsed 100 tackles for second time in career.

2006: After battling numerous injuries which caused him to miss training camp, returned to action @ Sea (9/17) and collected two tackles and a pass defensed … had his best game since returning from injury, tying Cardinals season-highs with nine solo tackles, two sacks of Damon Huard and a forced

fumble vs. KC (10/8) … had two tackles, a sack of Andrew Walter and a fumble recovery before leaving the game in the second quarter with a hip flexor @ Oak (10/22) … inactive (hip) @ GB (10/29) … returned to action with 12 tackles while also adding a pass defensed vs. Dal (11/12); eclipsed the 200-career tackle mark … for the second time in 2006, piled up 10 tackles and added two sacks in a game, this time bringing down Brad Johnson @ Min (11/26) … led the team with 12 tackles in a standout performance vs. Sea (12/10); had a pass defensed, a tackle for a loss and forced a FB Mack Strong fumble in the third quarter that led to the Cardinals retaking a lead they would never relinquish on a Larry Fitzgerald TD catch … shared the team lead in tackles with eight while also adding an Alex Smith sack and a forced fumble @ SF (12/24) … recorded eight tackles, a tackle for loss and earned his third multi-sack game of the season @ SD (12/31), bringing down Philip Rivers twice.

2005: Had a career day in the season opener @ NYG (9/11) recording two INTs, including one that was returned 18 yards for a TD; sacked Eli Manning and also recorded three solo tackles … recorded his second sack in as many games taking down Marc Bulger for a nine yard loss in the fourth quarter vs. StL (9/18) … posted 10 tackles for the second time in three weeks vs. Car (10/9); also recorded a pass defensed and a forced fumble that was recovered by DT Ross Kolodziej … had a big day vs. Ten (10/23), recording 11 tackles and a sack of Billy Volek; forced and recovered a Volek fumble in the process … inactive (groin) @ StL (11/20) … returned to start vs. Jax (11/27) and recorded nine tackles … intercepted Mike McMahon and returned it 11 yards for a TD, his second of the season; added five tackles and a pass defense vs. Phi (12/24); his two INT returns for TDs established a franchise single-season record for a LB … recorded a team-high 10 tackles @ Ind (1/1) to finish the season with 103 tackles, the first 100-tackle season of his career.

2004: Made an immediate impact on the Cardinals defense after being selected in the second-round of the 2004 NFL Draft … named to Pro Football Weekly’s 2004 All-Rookie team … started 12 games while collecting 68 tackles, the most of any rookie on the team … recorded three fumble recoveries, one shy of the team rookie record for fumble recoveries set by Tom Wham with the Chicago Cardinals in 1949 … recorded the first start and sack of his career @ Atl (9/26) when he took down Michael Vick early in the third quarter to force the Falcons into a 3rd-n-14 situation; also recovered a Vick fumble in the red zone … recorded four tackles and a fumble recovery @ SF (10/10) … intercepted a Matt Hasselbeck pass by out-leaping TE Jerramy Stevens in the second quarter to set up Neil Rackers second 55-yard field goal of the game vs. Sea (10/24) … recovered his third fumble of the season @ Mia (11/7) when DE Bertrand Berry sacked Jay Fiedler forcing a fumble; sacked A.J. Feeley for his second sack of the season … inactive @ Car (11/21) due to a neck and shoulder injury sustained against the Giants the previous week.

College:

Butkus Award semifinalist was regarded as one of the premier defenders in college football … began career at strong safety, shifting to outside linebacker as a sophomore … in 36 games for the Tigers, recorded 218 tackles (128 solos) with 10 sacks for minus 70 yards, 31 tackles for loss, seven forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 15 passes defensed, and eight INTs … All-America first-team selection by the American Football Coaches Association, the 23rd Auburn player to earn that honor … unanimous all-Southeastern Conference first-team pick.

Personal:

All-State linebacker and wide receiver at Woodlawn (Birmingham, AL) High School … caught 51 passes for 857 yards and five TDs on offense, 81 tackles, six sacks, three INTs, and two fumble recoveries on defense as a senior ... also played basketball, earning All-State honors as a junior … Sociology major … cousin of former Notre Dame defensive lineman Melvin Dansby … launched a men’s grooming product line, Montez-Renault, which was honored in 2015 by Men’s Health Magazine.